The Perfect Day in Milan

@afar
 on 2022.02.03
7 Places
@afar
The perfect day in Milan is easy if you plan it right. From delicious pastries and art to fabulous fashion and culture, Milan in 24 hours can be the most beautiful experience. Make sure to begin bright and early with a cappuccino and cornetto so that you are fueled for art watching, window shopping, and climbing to the city's heights. And then get ready for a stylish evening at Milan’s very best cocktail spot. Credit: Collected by Erica Firpo, AFAR Local Expert
afar.com/travel-tips/a-perfect-day-in-milan

Passerini bar caffetteria

Cafe · Quarto Oggiaro

"Delicious Desserts Milan invented the art of bel cafè, the pedicured bar for a delicious morning coffee or afternoon aperitivo. Passerini has a delicious selection of pastries for mornings and afternoons, and is the ideal hideaway for an aperitivo in the city center."

Photo by Erica Firpo

Piazza di Santa Maria delle Grazie

Quarto Oggiaro

"Marvel at da Vinci’s Last Supper At a nondescript church in an unlikely neighborhood in Milan rests one of the greatest works of art ever created, The Last Supper by Leonardo da Vinci. The 15th century mural was part of a renovation project at the Convent of Santa Maria della Grazie and depicts one of the most famous scenes in Christianity, The Last Supper of Jesus with his disciples. Access to the work is strictly controlled, allowing in just a limited number of visitors at a time. Be sure to book your tickets in advance or hire a guide who can help teach you more about the importance of this great masterpiece."

Piazza del Duomo

Town square · Quarto Oggiaro

"Marvel at Milan’s Duomo The Milan Cathedral, or Duomo, occupies a site that’s been holy since the time of the Romans, but it wasn’t until the early 19th century when the finishing touches were finally placed on this massive building. The Duomo is the fifth largest cathedral in the world and one of the top tourist sites in the northern Italian city. Entrance is free, but a small fee is requested if you wish to take photos. Inside the church is even more magnificent then the outside, with scores of shrines and altars dedicated to saints and notable Milanese. During the Christmas holidays the city’s night market takes up residence next to the cathedral, adding one more reason to visit this central site."

Rubinacci - Milano

Dressmaker · Quarto Oggiaro

"A Gentleman's Best The best tailors in Italy are from Napoli, and the best ateliers are in Milan , in particular in the beautiful Fashion Quadrilateral where every shop is more gorgeous than the next. Rubinacci is definitely a cut above the rest for its impeccable style, perfectionist tailors, and prime location. The suits are iconic, hence the reason why Fiat heir Lapo Elkann, Bryan Ferry, and Ferrari's Montezemolo wear them. Grandson Luca has a breezy ready-to-wear line as well. (Fashionistas will note that The Sartorialist loves to snap shots of Rubinacci the Younger.)"

Photo by Rubinacci

Teatro alla Scala

Opera house · Quarto Oggiaro

"Opera at Teatro alla Scala Designed by the great neoclassical architect Giuseppe Piermarini, the glorious interior is quite the opposite from its austere exterior. Acoustics are amazing, not only from the exemplary construction of the venue but also thanks to the perfect sound of the orchestra. Guests are treated like royalty, ushers wear white gloves, and for any opera lover, this is a must. Buy the better tickets for good sight lines to the stage as pricing varies greatly and matches the experience you’re paying for. Sponsored by Coach"

Dry

Pizza restaurant · Quarto Oggiaro

"Pizza and Cocktails from a Two-Michelin-Star Chef at Dry in Milan Half the fun of going to Dry, a late-night bar and pizza joint in the buzzy neighborhood of Moscova, is the democratically cool crowd: young artists, gray-mustachioed men, and members of the fashion illuminati. The other half is the cocktail menu (good news for lovers of whiskey) and bubbly pizza pies from the two-Michelin-star chef. This appeared in the May 2015 issue."

Photo courtesy of Dry

Bulgari Hotel Milano

Hotel · Quarto Oggiaro

"Milan’s Secret Garden What was once a 16th-century monastery garden is now a beautiful outdoor oasis in the heart of bustling Milan . Il Giardino is a 4000-square-meter manicured getaway accessible only to guests at the Bulgari Hotel. More than a garden, it’s a true living space within the hotel where cosmopolitan travelers linger over drinks and conversation, or contemplate nature in peaceful silence. In addition to the trees, flowers, and lawns within its limits, the garden offers a stunning view of the adjoining Botanical Garden and its plethora of exotic plant species. Sponsored by Bulgari"

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